Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has ordered 91 6×6 vehicles from Patria under the CAVS programme, with an option for up to 70 APCs. (Patria)

Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command has ordered 91 6×6 vehicles from Patria under the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme led by Finland, the company announced in a press release on 2 June. The order includes spare parts, tools, and operation and maintenance training, with an option for up to 70 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in addition to the 91 vehicles. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later in 2023.

Jussi Järvinen, executive vice-president, Finland division, Patria, told Janes on 6 June that the overall value of the procurement, including options and value-added tax, is about EUR208 million (USD222.5 million).

The Finnish Defence Forces acquired the first three pre-series vehicles in 2022 for testing, familiarisation, and to define the final requirements for the serial production version. The Finnish Ministry of Defence and Patria signed a letter of intent in 2021 for Finland to order 160 CAVS vehicles.

Dstl is developing a Lightweight Fires Platform technology demonstrator to replace the 105 mm Light Gun. The red boxes on the sides represent batteries, the ‘Mickey Mouse ears' house propellant, and up to 14 rounds can be stowed behind the elevating mass. (BAES IP)

The UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is working on a Lightweight Fires Platform technology demonstrator programme to replace the 105 mm Light Gun, Janes learnt on the last day of Defence iQ's Future Artillery 2023 conference held in Munich from 30 May to 1 June.

A three-year pre-concept study to de-risk technologies on which a new Light Gun could be based was conducted in 2020–23 by BAE Systems, together with QinetiQ and engineering consultants Horiba Mira and Arke. This resulted in a detailed design for a remote-controlled/autonomous unmanned 127 mm self-propelled gun technology demonstrator that is electrically powered and optimised for strategic and tactical mobility. It is fitted with a 14-round magazine and autoloader and weighs less than 3,000 kg, with further mass reduction possible.

The Swedish Army plans to have three artillery brigades totalling 72 Archer SPHs in 2030. (Försvarsmakten/Marcus Olsson)

Sweden has been rebuilding artillery from scratch over the last decade, following neglect after the end of the Cold War, Janes learnt on the last day of Defence iQ's Future Artillery conference held in Munich from 30 May to 1 June.

Sweden's two artillery brigades with 24 Archer 6×6 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) each will grow by a third brigade with 24 Archer 8×8 SPHs in 2030. The country has no rocket artillery yet but is focusing on it as there is now political support for deep fires.

Sweden's four manoeuvre brigades have artillery battalions or batteries, with the Gotland task force also having a battery.

One artillery regiment each in northern and southern Sweden is responsible for training crews, which lasts 10 weeks for conscripts, followed by four weeks of exercises.

The Swedish Army has no artillery unmanned aerial vehicles and has a requirement for sensors. It plans to procure artillery fire-control systems in 2025 and weapon-locating radars in 2026.